Recorded theatre never works.
Is not the same as:
Although they’re entirely passable, they aren’t as good as movie-musicals
Watching a live performance is going to have a different energy obviously. But seeing it recorded is still better than never seeing it at all.
The "art is ephemeral" is pure art school nonsense and 99% of the time ends up being turning into "art for the elite that can afford it." I thought it was silly in art school 30 years ago and have had 30 years to think about why I still think it's silly. It's one of those buttons for me that, when I see it, I have a really hard time not being harsh to the person regurgitating the sentiment.
